Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in La Crosse, WI: $46,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in La Crosse, WI earns a median $46,338/year (≈ $22.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $50,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in La Crosse, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,338, reflecting a post-COVID market reset that has established a new salary baseline for this vital healthcare role. The salary range spans from $39,969 at the 10th percentile to $50,289 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $45,007. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the stability and demand for CNAs in the local workforce. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, the job market for certified nursing assistants in La Crosse is expected to remain robust, ensuring a continued need for these skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,969 | $19.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,130 | $19.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,338 | $22.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,724 | $23.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,289 | $24.18 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,320 (2026 est.). At $46,338, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $45,007.
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How La Crosse Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $46,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,478 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +2.96% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $46,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,478.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $46,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,020
2025 BLS Actual
$43,510
2026 Current Est.
$46,338
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,350 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.8% from $33,020 (2019) to $43,510 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,350 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,330 (49.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,969 – $41,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,130 – $46,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,338 – $48,724 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,724 – $50,289 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in La Crosse
As of 2026, approximately 1,250 certified nursing assistants are employed in La Crosse, contributing to a job market that presents various opportunities. The cost-of-living index of 91.769 indicates that residents enjoy a lower living expense relative to the national average, which enhances their take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals typically offer competitive pay, with additional compensation opportunities for those willing to work evening and weekend shifts. Specifically, shift differentials can add $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends. CNAs seeking to maximize their earnings may also benefit from agency roles that pay premiums during staffing shortages. Additionally, those with a Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) certification or who take weekend-only positions may find additional incentives to enhance their overall pay package in La Crosse, WI.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $43,510 for certified nursing assistantsin the La Crosse metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov